UC Santa Barbara's giving societies recognize the wide-ranging impact of our generous donors. Benefits of membership in our giving recognition societies offer personal ways to engage with campus and include recognition in the Annual Report of Private Philanthropy. We invite you to explore the societies below!
The Gold Circle Society is UC Santa Barbara's premier recognition society, honoring philanthropists who have cumulatively invested more than $1,000,000 in this institution. UC Santa Barbara gratefully acknowledges and celebrates the profound impact brought about by these visionary leaders.
Membership in the prestigious Lancaster Society is reserved for benefactors who have contributed $100,000 or more to the university over time, and have helped build UC Santa Barbara's world-class reputation for teaching, research and public service. The Society is named after Louis and Winifred Lancaster, civic-minded philanthropists who played a central role in establishing the UC Santa Barbara Foundation.
The Legacy Circle honors donors who have included UC Santa Barbara in their estate plans through some form of planned gift. Membership in the society is conferred upon those who have communicated to the university their intention to make a gift through a bequest, charitable trust, charitable gift annuity, pooled income funds, life insurance, retirement fund, or a gift of property with a retained life estate.
The Chancellor's Council, UC Santa Barbara's premier annual giving program, recognizes donors of $1,000 or more to the university. Young alumni are also recognized at this level when giving $500 or more. These gifts are essential to maintaining campus excellence and may be restricted to support a specific department or unrestricted for use where the need is greatest.
Chancellor’s Patrons
The Chancellor’s Patrons are Chancellor's Council members who have made annual donations of at least $1,000 for five consecutive years, or more. UC Santa Barbara is honored to recognize the loyal generosity of our Chancellor’s Patrons.
A Life in Languages
Professor Harvey Sharrer’s lifelong dedication to medieval Iberian literature lives on through a bequest that supports graduate students in Spanish and Portuguese studies at UC Santa Barbara. His gift represents a career defined by discovery and mentorship.
Publisher, Leader, Benefactor
Sara Miller McCune H’05 is a pioneering publisher, dedicated philanthropist, and longtime UC Santa Barbara leader. Her far-reaching support across the social sciences, Arts & Lectures, the Library, and more reflects a steadfast belief in the power of research and the humanities to strengthen democracy.